Wānaka Police wish everyone “a safe and happy Easter”, Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts says.

She warned locals to expect to see increased activity on the roads. 

“We often see risky driving behaviour as some drivers look to make every minute count, which often means attempting to get to their holiday destinations as quickly as possible,” Fi said.

“Drivers and riders who risk the safety of themselves and others can expect that our people will follow through with the appropriate enforcement action…”

Tri-agency training day

Police, Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and Hato Hone St John held a tri-agency exercise at Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College on Tuesday (April 15). 

“The training involved emergency services responding to an active armed offender at the college,” Fi said.

People in the area would have seen a heavy emergency service presence, but there was no cause for concern, she added. She thanked the volunteers who assisted the teams and the college itself “for allowing our agencies to train and refine our skills and drills in a realistic environment”. 

Road policing

Police were called to a vehicle accident on Maungawera Road early on Saturday (April 12).

“The vehicle flipped in the ditch; fortunately the driver sustained only minor injuries,” Fi said.

On Sunday (April 13) a vehicle was stolen from Northlake and later recovered on the Wānaka-Luggate Highway. 

“We don’t see a lot of car theft, but we ask people to lock your vehicles and remove the keys to remove the opportunity,” Fi said. “Thieves use a range of techniques, but most offending is opportunistic, please help us by mitigating their opportunities.”

She advised people to park in well-lit areas and take their keys with them. She also recommended installing an alarm to provide extra security.

On Friday (April 11) a 35-year-old male was stopped on Aubrey Road with an elevated blood/breath alcohol (EBA) of 777 mcg - significantly above the legal limit. 

“He is also facing a charge of driving while disqualified,” Fi said.

On the same day a 50-year-old male was stopped on Aubrey Road with an EBA of 317 mcg and a 26-year-old male was stopped on the Wānaka-Luggate Highway with an EBA of 369 mcg.

“Daylight savings has ended, the [temperatures] have dropped. Please drive to the conditions,” Fi said.

Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.

Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.

Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.

To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.

PHOTO: Wānaka App